The Big Issue - UK (2020-03-02)

eing part of an international network of street papers – more

than 100 magazines in 35 countries – gives immediate,

first-hand insight into challenges facing people on the

margins across the globe.

Homelessness is a pervasive presence everywhere, even if the reasons

whypeoplecan find themselves without a home or stable income differ from

place to place. But from Birmingham to Buenos Aires, Cardiff to Chicago or

Perth, Scotland to Perth, Australia, vendors choose to sell a street paper like

TheBigIssueforthechancetosupportthemselves.

Afreshcrisishasbeenon everybody’slips(whichyoushouldn’t be

touchingwithunwashedhands)asstreetpapersareencountering

thecoronavirus.

TheCovid- 19 virusisspreadingsoquicklyandunpredictablythat

anythingwritten aboutitrisksbeinginstantaneouslyoutdated.Butit

hasalreadyaffectedstreetpapervendors,

beginningwiththosebasedinSouth

Korea,wherethefirstoutbreakoutside

of China occurred.

Early in February, staff noticed the

streets of Seoul were quieter than usual.

Five thousand face masks were sourced

to distribute among vendors. They were

donated by a music label, and worryingly

described as “fashionable”. Let’s hope

face mask fashion doesn’t become this

season’s hottest trend.

But face masks themselves prove

problematic for vendors. Mr Yamada,

who sells The Big Issue Japan in Osaka,

said: “It’s a complicated matter. When you

wear a mask, some people feel anxious

andcautious,believingthevendorto besick,despite themaskbeingtherefor

protection inthefirstplace.”

MrYamada’scolleagueMrYoshitomisellsinthecity’stourist

district. “Thereareclearlynotasmanypeoplearoundduringthedaytime

and,generally,peopleareincreasinglylikelyto avoidcrowdedareas,”

hesaid.

LastweekthecoronavirusestablisheditselfinEurope,starting–like

manyvisitorsto thecontinent–innorthernItaly.Streetpaper

Scarpde’tenisisbasedinMilan.

“Sofar,allScarpde’tenisstaffandvendorsremainwell,”saidstaff

memberMartaZanella.Sheexplainedhowever,thatnewpitcheshave

had to be found for vendors. Most usually sell at churches but masses in

the regions of Lombardy, Veneto and Piedmont have been suspended until

furthernotice.

“We’rediscussinghow to approachthis,andto ensuretheystillhavea

chancetoselltheirstreetpapers.We’reincreasingthenumberoftheir

pitches located on streets and in supermarkets. Things seem to be changing

rapidly though.”

Reassuringly, Zanella added that sales have not been impacted so far as

communities are rallying to support each other.

Should the outbreak develop into a pandemic and worsen in this country,

hopefully we will similarly look out for others. Inevitably, in times of crisis, it is

themostmarginalisedandvulnerable in society who are hit hardest.

EDITORIAL

B

@stevenmackenzie

Paul McNamee is away

In a crisis,

let’s be there

for those

who need us

Sheen and heard

It gladdens the heart to read that someone with Michael
Sheen’s profile is actively supporting the teaching of Welsh
history in our schools [February 17-23]. Cymru am Byth!
Ronnie Lewis, Crymych, Pembrokeshire

Lovely Liam

What an amazing person Liam Harmer is [My Pitch, February
1 7-23]. He has found the right way to deal with whatever life
throws at him, and how splendid that he is now in touch with
family. Good for him.
Juliet Chaplin, Cheam

Pitched just right

As a 70-year-old golfer I can say that golf has definitely
improved my health [Fact/Fiction, February 17-23]. However
unlike President Trump I walk the 18 holes rather than being
driven around on a golf cart. As for golfers living longer, well
that’s probably true, but don’t forget you have to be fairly fit
and healthy to play golf in the first place.
Peter Holmes, Warwickshire

Clean and classy

Hearty congratulations to Diana Lampen for her warmth and
thoughtfulness [Letters, February 17-23]. For over 35 years
we have been running a touring caravan and camping park
and know that pristine toilets and washroom facilities are
absolutely key. For many of these years it has often fallen upon
me to do the cleaning when cleaners are ill or don’t arrive etc,
etc – and I am very familiar with the indifference, sometimes
outright rudeness shown towards cleaning staff, particularly by
men when using the urinals. I was prompted on one occasion
to ask a guy mid-flow if he would do that if I was a friend of
his wife and he looked amazed that I could even speak let
alone have a sense of humour. I know how much it means to
my cleaners when they are congratulated on their work and
thanked – so readers please remember what life would be like
without these people!!
Teresa Cooper, The Inside Park, Blandford, Dorset

@glenglenglen

Reading the latest

@BigIssue on the train north.

Steve Coogan may be the

cover story [February 17-

23], but @PeterAlanRoss’

interview with Rory Stewart

is worth the price of the

magazine alone. A really

great piece.

@katiew

Libraries [February

1 0- 1 6] are places I loved to

read the written word and

imagine new places like

Narnia, Hogwarts, Middle

Earth etc. Learning how

to empower myself to do

advocacy for people who

have no rights in society.

@IAmInPrint

Passed a @BigIssue

street seller greeting

everyone with a “Hello,

good morning, how are

you?” His smile was

infectious and commuters

were breaking out of their

own heads to SPEAK and

SMILE! What a tremendous

start to the day. Find YOUR

amazing. Smile at a stranger.

#kindness

@AndyWPhilosophy

I loved this by

@johnbirdswords on why

watching and enjoying

Emma made him want to

share a gruesome story

with his daughter.

@bigissue

Photo: INSP

Taking no chances

Korean vendors are

wearing masks

02-08 MARCH 2020 BIGISSUE.COM | 07